Draft Gives The Bulls A Big Lift

The Bulls are on the upswing, and there`s no telling where it will lead.

Maybe even to David Robinson?

``The Bulls had a helluva draft,`` said Gary Bettman, vice president of the National Basketball Association. ``Forget about Robinson, they`re a good team right now.``

With Robinson, they could be the best. The 7-foot-1-inch Navy center was chosen by San Antonio as the top pick in last Monday`s draft. He has scheduled a visit to that Texas city, and according to Bettman, ``We believe David Robinson will sign a contract with the Spurs.``

Robinson, however, is committed to serve two years in the Navy and will not suit up for his NBA opener until the 1989-90 season. If he sits out two successive drafts, he becomes a totally free player and can play with the team of his choice.

Speculation had centered on the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers as Robinson`s favorites. But what if the Bulls, who have three No. 1 picks in the next two years, duplicate last Monday`s coup? What if they`re just a center away from becoming the team of the 1990s? Would Robinson help put a championship ring on Michael Jordan`s finger?

Bulls` officials cannot comment because of a tampering rule, but you can believe that such a scenario has crossed their minds. Operations chief Jerry Krause is clinging to New Jersey`s first-round pick obtained for the signing of Orlando Woolridge last year. Should the Nets wind up in the lottery the next two seasons, the Bulls will have a lottery pick in the 1989 draft. If Krause gets lucky, he could have his pick of the NCAA`s best center.

Until then, Bulls coach Doug Collins must blend in his new talent with the existing club.

``On paper, I think we had the best draft--by far,`` said Collins about first-round picks Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant, second-rounders Rickie Winslow and Tony White and center Artis Gilmore, acquired in a trade with the Spurs for a 1988 second-round pick. ``We got some young, aggressive, live players, and their enthusiasm will lift the team up.``

Collins sent a message to last year`s Bulls: Be ready for some heavy competition.

``I have no problems keeping four rookies, as long as they can play,``

Collins said. ``I have no problems starting a rookie if he shows me he can do the job. It`s a nice possibility to have a rookie good enough to start.``

The subject of the conjecture is Central Arkansas forward Pippen, who could fill a hole at small forward. Last season, Gene Banks and Brad Sellers were inconsistent there.

``Competition will be good for Brad,`` Collins said. ``It`s to the point now where instead of somebody handing you the spot, we`re going to see how badly you want to play.``

Collins said Jordan and power forward Charles Oakley are the only two Bulls ``secure in their spots.`` After that, he said, it`s open season.

``Right now, we are three deep at every position,`` Collins said.

``Everyone will be pushing each other.``

The addition of Pippen and Winslow at small forward and Gilmore at center bolsters the Bulls` two biggest problem areas last season. Collins might also use Grant in the middle.

``I can see playing Grant at center against some Western Conference teams,`` he said. ``He can block shots and passes the ball well. He set a school record at Clemson for assists from a front-court player. I worked out with him for about an hour when he visited, and he has range from 20 feet. He just never took that shot at Clemson.``

Collins will probably field a team of eight big men and four guards. The backcourt is a bit easier to figure. Jordan and John Paxson are the starters with Sedale Threatt, Elston Turner and White battling for the remaining two spots.

A longshot is ex-Illinois starter Doug Altenberger, who is religiously working out at the Deerfield Multiplex to rehabilitate a shoulder injury. Collins said that the latest reports on Altenberger`s progress were good and that he shouldn`t be totally counted out.

Up front, figure that Gilmore and Dave Corzine are the centers. The Bulls fully expect to re-sign Corzine. The two power forwards are Oakley and Grant, and the small forwards are Sellers, Pippen and Banks. That leaves one spot for either forward-center Mike Brown or forward Winslow. If Banks were traded or moved, both might stick. It appears that Granville Waiters, Pete Myers and Ben Poquette will have difficulty making the team.

``We are going to up-tempo our game with live, running, active players,`` Collins said about a new Bulls` image. ``Now, we have more guys who can do spectacular things in the open floor. We have guys who have been primary scorers throughout their careers.

``I don`t want to begin throwing the ball all over the gym. Turnovers will be up because we`ll have more possessions. But I want to continue playing defense and rebounding. We`ll be able to play more pressure defense now because we have a shot-blocker (Gilmore).

``I see Michael Jordan only playing 35-36 minutes a game now and being fresher for the fourth-quarter stretch run. I played golf with Michael on Thursday and he was very, very happy. He felt we really improved ourselves.`` Collins said Gilmore will take on the role of an elder statesman. Collins said Jordan didn`t seem comfortable with an overt leadership position.

``Michael would rather just come and juice it up than worry about all the other things,`` Collins said. ``As much as anything, Artis will be there for all the younger guys to learn what the league is all about.``